Tiger Woods :: Are we accepting he’s just ‘anybody’?

“Felt like I made some big strides” – Tiger Woods’ summary of his performance at last week’s Quicken Loans National.

The 39-year-old said he feels like “everything is kind of trending in the right direction now” after finishing tied for 18th – his second top 20 finish of the season – in the tournament that benefits his own foundation.

On paper, he has every right to be pleased with his week’s work. Three rounds in the 60s, 36 out of 56 fairways, 53 of 72 greens in regulation and a total of 20 birdies across his four rounds – decent numbers by anybody’s standards.

But are we really accepting that Tiger Woods is now just ‘anybody’?

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If we are, that’s a more damning indictment of how far he has fallen than anything the official world golf rankings can say.

If we’re not, and we’re prepared to account for that fact that this is a guy who has won 14 major championships, 79 PGA Tour titles, 18 World Golf Championships and spent a total of 683 weeks (over 13 years) as world No.1, then last week represents very scant progress indeed.

Relative to his struggles over the past two years, yes, it’s a step in the right direction – but only one very small step on a long road to recovery. Nothing more.

After his second round 66, social media users were quick – as is their wont – to proclaim him as being ‘back’. The “Ineverdoubtedhimforasecond” brigade marched forth, standing shoulder to shoulder with the “Andyouallsaidhewasdone” regiment.

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However, let’s see last week for it was: a second tier PGA Tour event. With the greatest of respect to the eventual winner, Troy Merritt, Tiger should be able to outscore him and the rest of the field all ends up when he’s playing his best golf. Fact is, he’s a long way from being close to his best. Deep down, he will know that – and he won’t like it one bit.

To me, Tiger’s future depends on which one of two things happens first: the swing changes he is making with Chris Como clicking into place, or his ego submitting to the emotional toll of being just another guy in the field. Whichever one of those two things splits the ribbon first will determine the direction of the remainder of Woods’ career.

Does he have it in him to win PGA Tour events again? Unquestionably. To my mind, he could get as many as ten more before he calls it a day. Does he have it in him to win more majors? Yes – but I doubt he will.

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Since the most recent of Tiger Woods’ victories – the US Open in 2008 – 29 such championships have taken place, with 21 different winners. Of those, 16 had never tasted glory in one of golf’s four grand slam events before. Now they have. Experience of winning: it’s quite a weapon to have in your arsenal.

The average age of major winners since Woods’ last win is 31 years and three months. Tiger is now 39 years and seven months. Since he last lifted a major, only three players have won a major at an older age than he now is: Darren Clarke, 42 when he won the Open in 2011; Ernie Els, 42 when he won the Open in 2012; and Phil Mickelson, who was 39 years and ten months when he won the 2010 Masters and 43 when he won the 2013 Open. Tiger is becoming an old man in a young man’s game. Time is his enemy and yet he seems content to spend much of it rebuilding his game. Shrewd or senseless? You be the judge.

But never mind majors. First things first, Tiger needs to get back to winning, period. This week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational marks two years since he last did that.

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Look, if he feels he’s turning a corner, then great. It was, though, somewhat dispiriting to hear him harp on about driving distance after his final rounds. “I’m hitting the ball up there with some of the bigger guys again,” he said. What a meaningless achievement that is, comparable to ‘Corners Won’ in football. That he should even bring the subject up demonstrates that his ego still calls the shots.

To me, Tiger Woods should be interested in only one thing at this point: stringing together four good rounds and contending for titles. Not once has he done that this year.

‘Big strides’? Relative to some of the stuff he’s produced in 2015, sure last week was that.

Relative to who he is, however, the Quicken Loans National was baby steps and nothing to get carried away about.

Tiger Woods :: Road to recovery?

What was your assessment of Tiger Woods’ showing at the Quicken Loans National? Can he get back to his best? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor